- What Is the Typical Wage Replacement Rate?
A key question in retirement planning is how much of your income you’ll need to replace once you stop working. This figure, called the wage replacement rate, is a helpful retirement planning tool. It helps you estimate how much to save and what kinds of income sources to rely on. While everyone’s situation is different,… read more…
- At What Age Can You Retire With $1 Million?
For many Americans, $1 million is the benchmark for a secure retirement. But in today’s economy, at what age you can retire with $1 million dollars will depend on a range of factors. These include lifestyle and expenses, your investment strategy and your withdrawal rate. You might find that it’s only enough for a more… read more…
- How Much Should I Have in Retirement Savings at 55?
At 55, many people are about 10 years from retirement and may wonder how much they should have saved to support their desired lifestyle. Comparing your savings to different benchmarks can help guide your retirement decisions. And a financial advisor can work with you to assess your progress, identify gaps and adjust your plan to… read more…
- How Much Money Does a Couple Need to Retire?
Planning for retirement as a couple adds another layer of complexity to what’s already an important financial goal. If you’re asking, “how much money does a couple need to retire?” then you’re likely trying to support a comfortable lifestyle for two. No two couples are alike, but there are benchmarks and planning strategies that can… read more…
- How Much Should I Have in Retirement Savings at 35?
Reaching your mid-thirties is a milestone that can prompt you to reflect on your financial future, especially when it comes to retirement savings. At this age, you still have decades to grow your savings, but it’s not too early to make sure you’re on the right track. Industry-developed guidelines can give you a quick estimate… read more…
- What Is the Average 401(k) Balance for Retirees?
For many Americans, the 401(k) is the cornerstone of their retirement savings strategy. Knowing where your 401(k) balance falls compared to others in your age range can help you determine whether you’re on track, ahead of the curve or falling behind when it comes to preparing for a comfortable and secure retirement. It can also… read more…
- 5 Safe Investments for Retirees: Types and Examples
After decades of building wealth, retirees often prioritize preserving capital, generating steady income and reducing exposure to market volatility. So what are the safest investments for retirees? From government-backed securities to insured bank products, these lower-risk investments can serve as the financial foundation of a retirement portfolio. Here are five safe investments for retirees. How… read more…
- 7 Things to Know About Social Security Survivor Benefits
Social Security is not just a benefits program for retired workers. It also provides essential support to nearly 5.8 million survivors of deceased workers each month. The benefits can help replace lost income and maintain financial stability during an incredibly challenging time. Eligibility depends on how long the deceased worked and your relationship to them.… read more…
- Do Retirees Need an Umbrella Insurance Policy?
Umbrella insurance serves as supplemental liability coverage that activates when your standard policies reach their limits. Retirees often find this coverage valuable, especially if they have accumulated substantial assets and face unique risk factors. A serious auto accident, injury on your property or defamation lawsuit could quickly wipe out retirement savings without enough coverage. That… read more…
- Is $2 Million Enough for a Couple to Retire?
Approaching retirement with $2 million in savings puts many couples in a strong financial position. But is $2 million enough for you and your spouse to retire comfortably? That answer depends on lifestyle, health, income needs and how long you expect retirement to last. While $2 million covers retirement for some couples, it may not… read more…
- How to Live Off of Dividend Income as a Retiree
Many retirees live off dividend income because dividends from strong companies can grow over time. While annuities and bond funds don’t offer rising income like dividends do, they can still be part of a retirement plan. Careful planning, diversification and risk management are key for making this work. If you need help building a well-balanced… read more…
- 7 Fixed-Income Investments for Retirees to Consider
As retirement gets closer, many investors focus more on protecting their money than growing it. Fixed-income investments can help by providing steady interest payments and reducing stock market risk. With the right strategy, these investments can help cover living costs, lower risk and add to Social Security or pension income. A financial advisor can help… read more…
- 5 Investments for Retirees and Examples of Portfolios
Choosing investments for retirement means finding the right balance between safety and growth. You want a mix that can handle market ups and downs while giving you steady income. Since there’s no one right answer, a financial advisor can help you build a plan that fits your goals, risk level and income needs. 5 Investments… read more…
- What Are the Pros and Cons of a Defined Benefit Plan?
Defined benefit plans, often referred to as traditional pensions, offer a reliable stream of income in retirement. These plans can provide peace of mind with guaranteed income, but they also tend to be less flexible than defined contribution plans like 401(k)s. They are also not available to most private-sector workers. Whether you’re evaluating a job… read more…
- How Much Money Is Needed to Retire at Age 60?
If you plan to retire at 60, you’ll need a clear picture of your future expenses and a solid plan. Because 60 is earlier than most benefit eligibility ages, you’ll need extra savings to cover the gap. The amount needed varies significantly based on your lifestyle expectations, health considerations and location. Some experts suggest saving… read more…
- Is $400,000 Enough to Retire at 65?
Whether $400,000 is enough to retire at 65 depends on your expenses, other income sources and how long you expect to live. There is no hard and fast answer that is accurate for all situations. For someone with modest expenses and full Social Security benefits, it may be possible to make $400,000 last. But without… read more…
- Can Rental Income Affect Your Social Security Benefits?
Social Security benefits provide essential income for millions of Americans. However, there can be a reduction in benefits if your total income exceeds certain thresholds. Many retirees use rental income to supplement their retirement, but it interacts with Social Security differently than wages or self-employment income. Unlike wages from a job, the Social Security Administration… read more…
- I’m a 51 Year Old Divorced Dad. I Have $780k in My 401(k) and Contribute the Maximum. Can I Retire in 10 Years?
Dependents can change everything. When it’s just you, or you and a partner, you have more room to adapt financial plans to your personal situation. If you want to retire early, you can adjust your spending, change zip codes or even move abroad to align with your savings. When you have children, aging parents or… read more…
- I Inherited My Husband’s 401(k) With $615k. How Do Handle This Money to Reduce Taxes?
Inheriting a retirement account can be complicated. With a retirement account that you opened, you’re referred to as the original owner. You can contribute to this portfolio, manage it as you see fit, and leave the money in place subject only to required minimum distributions (RMDs) in some cases. When you inherit a retirement account,… read more…
- I’m 50 With $650k in My 401(k). Should I Pivot to Roth Contributions?
At age 50, Roth contributions might be valuable, for the right household. With a Roth portfolio, the question is balancing the opportunity costs against the long-term savings. Here’s the general rule of thumb: For most households, if you get started in your 20s and 30s, a Roth’s untaxed growth will typically generate benefits that outweigh… read more…
- What Happens If You Don’t Take Your RMD by April 15?
While there are reporting requirements on your tax return due April 15 regarding your RMDs, the deadlines for taking these distributions out of your account have two other particular deadlines. By April 15th and beyond, you have already missed both deadlines for the prior year’s RMD, but you can act quickly to minimize any potential… read more…
- Is $2 Million Enough to Retire at 60?
Whether $2 million is enough to retire at 60 depends on how much you plan to spend, how long you expect retirement to last and what other income sources you have. Some retirees can live comfortably on that amount. Others may fall short if healthcare costs rise, inflation picks up or spending increases. Your specific… read more…
- Is $3 Million Enough to Retire at 60?
Whether $3 million is enough to retire at 60 depends in part on how much annual income that portfolio can reliably generate. With a 4% withdrawal rate, it could produce around $120,000 per year before taxes—enough for some retirees, but not all. Your investment strategy, lifespan, inflation, and healthcare expenses all affect how far that… read more…
- Is $1.5 Million Enough to Retire at 55?
Is $1.5 million enough to retire at 55? That figure may offer a solid base, but several factors affect whether it can support a retirement lasting 30 years or more. Early retirees face gaps in healthcare coverage, limited access to Social Security and retirement accounts. Still, they need to make their savings last longer than… read more…
- I’m 60 With a $920k in Retirement Savings and Expect a $2,250 Social Security Check at FRA. What’s My Retirement Budget?
In your early 60s, for most households, attention shifts from wealth accumulation to wealth management. You have a few more years to put the finishing touches on your retirement savings, at which point, it will be time to start taking structured withdrawals. This can be a good opportunity to start looking at how you’ll manage… read more…